SOCIETIES. 801 



unequal. In the fourth sub-family, the /Eschnidiz, the eyes are com- 

 pletely contiguous and wings unequal, they also have an opaque 

 triangular spot at the base of the hind wing. The second division 

 contains two sub-families, the first of which, the Calopterygidce, are dis- 

 tinguished by their wings being equal, eyes not contiguous, and head 

 barrel-shaped and horizontal. The last sub-family, the AgrionidcB, are 

 very similar to the Calopterygidce, but much smaller. He then remarked 

 on the life-history of dragonflies. The ova are deposited on aquatic 

 plants, sometimes below the surface of the water. The larvje feed on 

 small animals, and for this purpose have the lower lip prolonged and 

 ending in a claw, with which they capture their food. They breathe by 

 inflating the intestine with water, when the tracheae, with which the 

 intestine is lined, absorb the air held in suspension by the water. The 

 larva has the power of expelling this water with such force that it pro- 

 jects itself for some distance. Before emerging from the pupae they 

 crawl up some water plant and fasten themselves to it, the pupa-case 

 then bursts and the insect appears. At first they are brownish in colour, 

 their bright colours not being developed until they have been on the 

 wing some days. Their food consists of various insects, which they 

 capture on the wing. In doing this they are assisted by being able to 

 fly in any direction without turning. The genital organs of the male 

 are placed in the thorax, being thus different to all other insects. 



Mr. Bellamy referred to the popular name (horse-stingers) given to 

 these insects, and asked whether they would attack animals or men. 

 Mr. Tutt stated that he had noticed ALschna grandis hawking for food 

 at dusk, and asked whether this was usual. He also remarked on the 

 development of the colours in the imagines some time after exclusion. 

 Mr. Clark had also taken yE. gra?idis at dusk, in the New Forest. Mr. 

 Milton, in replying, stated that dragonflies had no sting, and that he did 

 not think they ever attacked animals. With reference to AlscIdiu grandis, 

 he had never seen it on the wing at dusk, but he once took a specimen on 

 a lamp, showing that they occasionally flew after dark, and were then 

 attracted to a light. A vote of thanks was then accorded to Mr. Milton 

 for his paper. 



Mr. Battley stated that he had recently seen a hawthorn bush in 

 blossom, this being the third time this year, it having bloomed pre- 

 viously in February and May. Mr. Elliman said that he had noticed 

 an apple tree in flower in Hertfordshire. 



The following gentlemen were then nominated as officers for the 

 ensuing year: President and Treasurer, Mr. J. A. Clark, F.E.S, ; Vice- 

 President, Mr. J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ; Curators, Messrs. Smith and Heasler ; 

 l^ibrarians, Messrs. Gurney and Cripps ; Council, Dr. Buckell, Messrs. 

 Boden, Phipos, Newbery and HoUis, F.E.S. ; Secretaries, Messrs. 

 Battley and Simes. 



Thursday, December- T,rJ, 1891. — Exhibits : — Mr. Boden, a specimen 

 of Cateremna terebrella, taken some years ago at Boxhill. He stated 

 that he had repeatedly worked the same ground, but no more were 

 taken. With reference to the species, Mr. Tutt stated that it had been 

 taken in certain localities on or near the Breck sands, and several 

 other localities near, and that the larvae fed in the cones of the Scotch fir 

 {Abies douglasii). Dr. Buckell, a bred series of Oporabia dilutata from 

 Chingford and Hampshire. He pointed out that the distinctly banded 



